Twelve Pages
In This Issue
♦
"The Voice of the Beef Empire"
Volume 79—Number 10 _O'Neill, Holt County, Nebraska, Thursday, July 2, 1 959__Seven Cents
I>eath Is near for a cactus m«*e . . .
Atkinson Irrigation Projects;
| Pros, Cons and a Cactus Rose
By EDITOR JERRY PET8CHE
ATKINSON Out on the prairie a few miles
north of here there grows a cactus rose.
A few feet away there stunds a monstrous earth
moving machine, and behind the rose a silent well
and a tank that will feed fuel to the pump yet to
he installed
That rose no match for the machine and the
water soon to lie turned on - can be symbolic of
either of two things:
It could mean the end of a stretch of dry and
unfertile prairie, and a blessing.
it could stand as u reminder that if you cut
this grassland up with too much vigor and without
thought, even cactus roses will not grow in the
future.
Just a few years ago in the grazing country a
few miles nor'h of Atkinson you could buy land
as low as $4.50 per acre.
And then the steel plow, the large bulldozer and
earth-movers moved in along with men of ideas—
and money.
Nowr, in this still experimental area of freshly
irrigated crops, you couldn't buy some of the land
for $100 per acre.
Like the skeletons of grant pre-his*oric birds,
self propelled irrigation rigs stretch across the
once dry land and move in huge circles encompass
ing 140 acres to grow small grain the likes of w hich
farmers have never seen in this area.
Only port of this tremendous and sudden irri
gation development is the result of local home
folks. Four large firms have moved into the area.
They include the C-T Land Company (Bill Curry,
A. E. Trowbridge*. Columbus; Fred and James
Kirschbnum, Grand Island; Chester B. Brown Co.,
and Flynn and Larson Company.
At least 12 irrigation wells have been sunk hy
the C-T Land Company according to Eurl Penry,
an Atkinson well driller, and many more appear
probable. Each of these wells will provide irriga
tion water for u dozen of the giant, self-propelled
machines. A well in the Atkinson area will be
roughly 100 feet deep. The capacity will be in the
neighbor flood of 1.000 gallons per minute.
Today there are roughly 150 wells in the county
and it appears there will be more.
But becwuse of the fast development which
could change the face of Holt county, there is con
troversy a controv ersy of a type which comes with
anything new.
The Case Against
Several local people are afraid. They are afraid
that the foot or so of black earth on top of the clay
and gravel will give out under the gouging of the
giant equipment 'and the perpetual winds.
One resident of Atkinson who wished to remain
jnidentified said he had hoped that large organiza
tions. ultimately controlled by men outside of the
community, would be the exception rather than
the rule.
"The economic boost will not he felt here,” he
said. “Even if this project works, just how much
good will it do Atkinson if the major share of pro
fits are realized here but are spent elsewhere?”
he asks.
A rancher in the area also voiced his opinion:
•‘I’m afraid some men who are doing the irrigating
might not be careful to sered only the rich land
in the area for development,” he said. Farmers
in the area point out that the 6-inch to three foot
deep black top-soil runs in strips across the area
north of Atkinson. ”If they try to cut up and irri
gate some of the land, we will all have trouble in
a few years.” he said and added that there was
no effective control over this possibility
Another point which deserves mentioning and
which one farmer believes could be a trouble spot
is the possibility of lowering the water table level
in the area, (as has happened to similar irrigation
projects in some of our Western states>, to the
point where it affects wells surrounding the project.
It is well known that the available water in the
area is almost unlimited, but how will the water
table heighth in the future affect the existing wells,
he asks.
The Case For
And there are plenty of spokesmen for the
project.
Vincent Olson, a farmer north of Atkinson who
owns his own irrigating rig and farms the land
himself, believes that the community must be de
veloped. (Pictured on inside pages.)
"You just can't stand still in farming anymore
I’ve invested $17,000 in my rig and the land here is
black. My taxes are high and I probably pay 10
times that which was paid before by farmers who
did not Irrigate this area.”
He pointed out that the increased taxes from
the area, and the increased value of all the farm
land north of Atkinson was worth the development
if reasonable care is practiced.
”1 recently Ixjught a stretch of land for $50 per
acre and the seller of that land bought it for
$4.50 per acre in 1941,” he added.
Another operator of one of the larger company’s
farms and who would also not be identified had
this to say: “As far us I know, not one of the big
operators have not been careful. We have care
fully tested this top-soil and have measured it for
depth.
“After all. we stand to lose u lot of money if
this thing doesn't work out,” he said.
In general, the smaller farmer, who owns his
own land does not believe he is adding to the sur
plus of crops. They point out that they are giving
many dry-land farmers in the area something to
think about and that if the land is properly hand
led, nothing but good can come of it.
Whatever the correct answer is, you can be
sure of this much: As you stand in one urea six
miles north of Atkinson, see millions of dollars of
equipment and digging, watch 60 to 100 bushel per
acre small grain and corn already above your
knees growing at this time, you begin to realize
just how much is at stake.
On the inside pages you will find more pictures
of the projects and a special story on the Atkinson
irrigation area written by Neil Dawes, Holt county
extension agent.
Accident Hospitalizes Kramer Boy
Minute* alter the accident which sent Robert Kramer to the hospital, investigating officer Bob
Gude of the state patrol, left, and Chris McGinn, O’N'eill police chief, were on the scene. Robert's
father. “BUI" Is shown at the right. Robert is shown in the Inset.
The Frontier Photo and Engraving.
Robert Kramer, 14, the son of
Sgt. and Mrs. E. W. “Bill" Kram
er, was taken to a Sioux City hos
pital Tuesday after a serious bi
cycle-car accident on highway
281
He is reported in satisfactory
condition there and is suffering
from a compound fracture of the
left thigh, a broken left arm and
multiple cuts and bruises.
Patrolman Bob Gude, who in
vestigated the accident said young
Kramer was riding his bike to the
O'Neill Drive-In theater where he
worked Monday morning when the
accident occurred.
Gude said the boy was going
north and the driver of the car,
Melvin J. Meyer, 44, of Stuart,
was traveling in the same direction
when the accident happened. Gude
said Meyen saw the boy, honked
his horn but couldn't avoid a col
lision. The right side of the auto
mobile struck the bicycle and the
boy was throw’n several feet Gude
explained.
Robert was first rushed to St.
Anthony's and later transferred to;
Sioux City.
Substitute Positions
Carrier, Clerk Open
Applications are now being taken
for employment in tbe O'Neill post
office.
Examinations must lie taken for
the positions of substitute clerk and
substitute city carrier.
Applicants must pass the writ
ten test and reside in the delivery
area or l)e a bona fide patron of
the post office at O’Neill.
Interested persons may obtain
further information and blanks
from the O'Neill post office.
State Patrolmen
Crack-Down on
Alcohol Offense
Seven Holt county minors -and a
Spencer adult have been charged
in county court with misdemeanors
involving alcoholic beverages dur
ing the past week
County Judge Louis Reimer said
patrolmen have l>een particularly
effective in picking up the youths
on these offenses.
Judge Reimer said the youths
can receive a fine up to 5100 or
00-day jail sentences or Ixjth for
possession of alcoholic liquor by a
minor. A fine of $1 to $100 can be
given to a person charged and con
victed of drinking on a public
highway.
The youths charged, their of
fenses and fines are as follows:
Possession of alcoholic liquor by
a minor: Jerald L. Pay, 18, Ewing,
$25 and costs; LeRoy Pofahl, 17,
Ewing, $25 and costs; Bernard R.
Allen, 19, O'Neill, $50 and costs;
John E. Turner, 17, O'Neill, $25
and costs, Larry D. Cleary. 18, O'
Neill, $25 and costs; Jack M. Smith,
18, Atkinson, $25 and costs, and
James D. Enright, 19, O’Neill, $25
and costs.
The adult, Robert J. Schommer,
Spencer, was convicted of drink
ing an alcoholic beverage on a
public highway. He was fined $10
and costs.
3-Year Old Hurt
Patrick Nesintt, the 3-year ok.
son of Mr. and Mrs. Ix)well Nes
bitt, suffered a minor concussion
over the week-end when he fell off
a bleacher in Carney park.
Mrs. Nesbitt said the boy was
watching a baseball game when
the accident occured.
The hoy’s mother said he is re
covering quickly.
Theodore A. Moss, 82,
Holt Homesteader
Dies at Chambers
Theodore A. Moss, 82, retired
Chambers rancher, died suddenly
June 26 at 6:30 a.m. at the Charles
Grimes residence at Chambers.
Funeral services were conducted
June 29 at 10 a.m. at the Chambers
Methodist church, where he had
been a member lor almost 60
years. Rev. Charles Cox officiated.
Burial was in the Ctrambers cem
etery. Pallbearers were: Glen Ad
ams, Glen Grimes, John Honey
well, Vernon Harley, Joe Daas
and Hylas Farrier.
Mr. Moss was l>orn November
26. 1876 u.t Carlinville, 111. to Char
les and Matilda Womach Moss.
They came to Holt county in 1887
from Carlinville, 111. and resided in
the Amelia neighborhwd. He was
married September 25, 1900 at
Amelia to Elizabeth Anna Guard.
Four children were born; one son.
who was deceased in infancy, and
three daughters.
Survivors include his widow; 3
daughters, Wilma Stark, Ceresco;
Beulah Grimes, Chambers; and
Helen Hurt, Mandan, N.D.; 4 bro
thers, John and Henry of Spokane,
Wash.; Ira, O’Neill; Cheeves,
Omaha; and one sister, Myrtle
Smith of Atkinson.
John A. Kennedy, 84,
Holt Pioneer,
Dies Here Saturday
Funeral services were conducted
at 9:30 a.m., Tuesday for John A.
Kennedy, 84, pioneer homesteader
and rancher who died Saturday at
St. Anthony’s hospital. Sickness
and death were sudden. Mr. Ken
nedy was ill only five days.
Services were held from St. Pat
rick's Catholic church with Rev.
Peter F. Burke of Ewing, a cousin
of Mr. Kennedy, officiating. Burial
was in Calvary cemetery here.
Rosary was recited at 8 p.m.
Monday evening.
Pallbearers were Edgar Peter
son, A. G. Doolittle, Bernard Ken
nedy, Richard Minton, Dan Mc
Carthy and James Earley.
The late Mr. Kennedy was born
January 6, 1875 at Calhoun, la. His
parents were James Joseph and
Catherine M. Doyle Kennedy.
He came to Holt county in 1898
and homesteaded in the Amelia
community.
On Nov. 12, 1907, he was united
in marriage to Johanna Duffin at
Burwell. She preceded him in
Jeath on May 21, 1940. The couple
aad no children.
Survivors: Brother Frank J. of
Dmaha: sisters Sarah V. and Car
oline P., both of Omaha: nephews
T-Sgt. Dwaine James Vaughn,
Rationed in Saudi Arabia and Wil
liam Melvin Vuughn of Salt Lake,
City, Utah.
Senator Nelson Home
After Hard Session
Senator Frank Nelson returned
from Lincoln Tuesday to his farm
home northeast of O’Neill after
winding up his duties at the State
house.
Mr. Nelson said he was happy
to be back and that the past session
was a particularly difficult one
Not only was the session the
longest one on record, 739 bills j
were acted upon and 60 resolutions, i
rhis is 124 more than two years
igo.
Senator Nelson said he did not
wish to make a statement yet as j
to whether or not he would run
igain.
Mot Guilty Pleas Entered to
First Degree Murder Charges
By Mother and Half-Brother
Cronin
To Aid
Defense
BUTTE The mother and hall
brother of Flunk Vahderlinde. 21,
both pleaded not guilty to first
degree murder charges here Mon
day in county court.
Mrs. Sadie Dickerson and her
son, Nyal Franch, 18, were ar
raigned before county judge J. P.
Classon and were both charged
specifically with hitting Vander
linde in the head with a brace and
bit on Sunday, June 21.
The Boyd courtroom whs filled
to capacity as they list first
Franch and then Mrs. Dicker
S4|n before the judge. Both ap
peared shaken hut told Judge
Classon they understood the
charge.
In action before the arraign
ment, Boyd County Attorney Wil
liam Wills asked for a special
meeting of the Itoard of supervi
sors to ask for help in prosecuting
Mrs. Dickerson and Franch, ac
cording to J udge Classon.
Judge Classon said the board
gave Wills the go-ahead at which
time J. D. Cronin, an O’Neill at
torney was retained by the county
to help Wills.
Preliminary hearing in the mur
der case was set for 10 a.m. July
6 at the Boyd county court by
Judge Classon.
The court appointed William
Brennan defense attorney for Mrs.
Dickerson and Franch. An exper
ienced lawyer, he had served in
the past as county attorney far 32
years.
Whon asked by a reporter if
Mrs. Dickerson or Franch Had
signed a statement conre ruing
the death of VanderlliHhv Will*
would not comment Uremia*
told tile reporter that flic prose
cution had not told him whether
or not they had obtained »
signed statennmt.
County Sheriff Claude Collins
would say only that Franch and
Mrs. Dickerson had given him “so
many stories at first, I didn’t know
what to think.”
Mrs. Dickerson’s rented farm
home, where the incident was re
ported to have* occurred, is nine
miles north-west of Naper. Both
Franch and Vanderlinde, half
brothers, were living with their
mother, Mrs. Dickerson.
According to reports of neigh
bors, they were not particularly
well known in the community, that
they didn’t get out very mucti and
that the two boys "did not seem
to have many friends.”
At the present time Franch n
being held In the Boyd county
jail and .Mrs. Dickerson at Mw
Holt county jail in O’Neill be
eause of laek of facilities. Mr*.
Dickerson has been taken to amt
from the jail for the funeral of
her son and the arraignment.
In the past 30 years there has.
lieen at least a half-dozen mur
der eases in the county of Boyd
according to courthouse person
nel.
UTTI.F (<IHI. Dll s
Funeral services for Cindy Ad
ams, age 6, daughter of Mr. am!
Mrs. Perry Adarns, jr. of Orchar
were held Saturday, June 27,
2 p.m. at the Zion Lutheran ehurc <
in Plainveiw. Rev. Kitterling .if
ficated.
Cindy suffered a concuss inn on
June 24 when she fell while play
ing at her home.
Nyal Franch, 18. right, charged with the first degree murder of Ids half-brother, smiled quietly
for a Frontier photographer in the office of Holt County Sheriff Leo Tom Jack. Franeh was kept in O’
Neill for a few minutes after he attended the funeral of his half brother. Mrs. Dickerson, also charged,
left, is being kept at the Holt county jail in O'Neill. The Frontier Photo and Engraving.
Mrs. Sadie Dickerson and her two sons, Nyal Franeh, 48, and Frank Vanderlinde, 21, lived in
this crumbling stucco farm home nine miles northwest of Naper.
LINDA WALTER
. . .first polio ease
First Holt Polio Case
of Year Is Reported;
Linda Walter to Omaha
The first polio case in Ilolt coun
ty for the year has been recorded.
Linda Walter, 5, the daughter of
Mr. and Mrs. Raymond Walter of
Chambers was taken to Children’s
Memorial hospital in Omaha.
Physicians at the hospital report
that Linda is also suffering from
scarlet fever and is in satisfactory
condition at the present time. Lin
da was transferred from St. An
thony's a few days ago.
Doctors in Omaha have not yet
determined the extent of the dam
age but diagnosed the case as
bulbar polio.
Mrs Preston Jones of O'Neill,
the little girl's grandmother, was
told that the physicians would not
be able to tell the extent of dam
age for five days.
Linda had received all three
Salk polio shots according to her
grandmother. She was to have en
tered the first grade this coming
year.
Tel! New
Evidence
at Bank
Special to The Frontier
OMAHA—The office of the U.S.
District Attorney here has reported
finding new evidence and have
reason to believe they have found
more shortages in the now insol
vent Bartlett State bank
Chief Deputy D. Wallafce said
charges would have normally been
filed by this time but that the Fed
eral Bureau of Investigation had
just returned more information.
Wallace said the amount of $175,
000 reported missing would “prob
ably be exceeded now” in the light
of the new evidence.
He said charges, if filed, would
be made before a U.S. Commis
sioner either in Omaha or Norfolk
within the next two weeks.
"We can't be absolutely certain
when the next legal action will be
lyken since we are not sure when
the F B.I. will finish their work at
the bank,” he said. “We have
plenty of time to do something and
we are working on the case at this
time.”
At the last check nearly $400,000
was to have been paid to insured
depositers by the Federal Deposit
Insurance Corporation.
Several reliable sources in Bart
lett indicate that the community
would like to start another bank.
The same sources said most of
the backing, if it does come, will
l>e from people within the town of
Bartlett. A group formed to dis
cuss the possible opening of an
other bank a few days ago.
THE WEATHER
hi lo prec.
Thus., June 25 99 68
Fri., June 26 • 91 68
Sat., June 27 87 64 .83
Sun., June 28 84 58 .15
Mon , June 29 74 48 .32
Tues., June 30 58 49 .73
Total precepitation .... 2.03
GOLF TOURNAMENT
The annual men’s Fourth of July
stake golf tournament will be held
Saturday afternoon at 1 p.m. for
country club members.
Don Becker und Harold Connors
are chairmen of the event.
Entry fees are 50 cents. Cash
prizes will lx* given.
COUNTRY CLUB FIREWORKS
The O'Neill Counlry club will
again put on a display of fireworks
the evening of the Fourth of July.
The display will begin at nightfall.
EWING BOY ENLISTS
Robert Kreiziger, son of Mr.
a.id Mrs. Robert Kreiziger of Ew
ing enlisted in the U.S. Navy
through the Norfolk Recruiting sta
tion.
Robert will take his recruit train
ing at San Diego. Calif.
... . i llfll . -
Allen (Senvie) .laszkowiak of O'Neill literally putted kH nay to
the .Ainsworth open Roll tournament Sunday when he shot a two under
par of HH. Scovie putted only 10 times in the final nine holes ol medal
play at the country club course. Waldo of Mullen placed-ini'
with a 70 at the tournament Golfers who played in the lonrMfy
above, from left, are Fred Appleby, Henry Lohaus, "Smk,” Ben
Grady and Al Carroll. Bob Kurtz, Louis Rcimer jr., and Dick Nelso%
not pictured, also played
